A local staffing firm has expanded its team to focus on training and consulting for manufacturing clients.

The Grand Rapids office of Express Employment Professionals, also called Express Pros, said this week it hired John Keuning as director of manufacturing excellence.

Keuning will lead manufacturing training and consulting initiatives at Express Pros.

“John’s 30 years of manufacturing, operations and leadership experience will add tremendous value to the Express Employment Professionals team and for our clients,” said Janis Petrini, owner, Express Pros. “John will play a key role as we continue to expand our training and consulting offerings, especially for manufacturing companies.”

Under Keuning’s guidance, Express Pros plans to expand its training and development services in 2018. The company will launch a Supervisor Boot Camp for new and future leaders and a lean manufacturing training series.

It also plans to expand the skills training offered in its current apprenticeship program.

Keuning’s task will be to help develop leaders, engage workers, reduce cost of goods and increase profitability for companies.

“I have worked closely with Express Employment Professionals for over five years as a leader at a client company and as a partner in several training events,” Keuning said. “It’s very exciting to officially join the Express team and take the step from being a client to being a resource for other companies.

“My favorite place to be is on the manufacturing floor working with teams to help them be their best, so I am especially looking forward to working on site with companies to address their unique needs.”

Rachel Watson is a Grand Rapids Business Journal staff reporter who covers food, manufacturing, small business, banking and finance, city government, HR and diversity. Email Rachel at rachelw at grbj dot com. Follow her on Twitter @RachelWatson86

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